Improvement in life-preserving apparatus



H. A. DUB, Jr. Life-Preserving Apparatus.

No. 164,818. Patented June22J87'5.

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HENRY A. DUO, JE, on CHARLESTON, sourn CAROLINA.

IMPROVEMENT m LIFE-PRESERVING APPARATUS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 164,818, dated June 22,1875; application filed I May 17, 1875.

To all whom may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY A. Duo, J r., of Charleston, in the county ofCharleston and State of South Carolina, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Life-Preservin g Apparatus; and I do herebydeclare that the following is a full, clear, and exact descriptionthereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to theletters of reference marked thereon, which form part of thisspecification.

The nature of my invention consists in a self-acting life-preserver,which can be worn at all times. when on the water, and will inflateitself as soon as it gets wet, as will be hereinafter more fully setforth.

' I11 the annexed drawing, Figure l is a central vertical section, andFig. 2 is a side elevation.

G represents a bag, made of india-rubber, to be secured around the bodyby suitable straps, in such a manner as to allow the bag to hang betweenthe binding of the waistcoat or other garment that is Worn all the time.The bag G is provided with a tube or flask, A, for containing suitablechemicals, which flask isenveloped by a perforated case, P, as shown.Inside of the flask A is a tube, -T, provided with a valve, V, at itslower end, to prevent the water from filling the bag G. S is a spiral orother spring, to hold the valve V to its seat against the pressure ofwater in the flask. Below the mouth O of the flask A is a suitable cagefor holding a corkball, B,

Y which is covered with india-rubber, andmade light enough to float.

The flask A is charged with tartaric acid and supercarbonate of soda,which will occupy about the space The perforated case I is then placedover the flask, to prevent anything from closing the mouth .0.

The flask is to be strapped tothe body, with the bag G hanging {betweenthe clothing.

- If the wearer falls or gets into the water, the

water passes through the perforated case, and enters the flask at thetop 0, which is always open.

As soon as the water rises high enough in the flask it floats the corkball), and closes the mouth of the flask. The valve V is kept closed bythe spring S, and prevents the water from enteringthe bag G.

The water now in the flask dissolves the chemicals, and generatescarbonic-acid gas rapidly, which will force the ball B tight Othersuitable chemicals may bets euro generate gas instead of those mentionedabove. L do. not confine myself to the above-described form of flask orbag, as they may be modified to suit the difl'erentwants; or thechemicals may be put into the bag, or may be incorporated in a sponge,which will absorb the water, and bring it in contact with the chemicals;or a sponge wall or partition may be used to protect them while theyremain dormant. Nor do I confine myself to the saving of life alone withthe above-described apparatus, as the same may be made large and putinto boats and vessels, in such a manner that when they sink to acertain depth the bags would swell out and displace the water, andprevent the total sinking.

Diving-bells, submarine boats, &c., maybe fitted with the same, and, incase of leak or accident, would come to the surface as soon as the Watergot inside and dissolved the chemicals, as the bags would be inflated,and diminish the specific gravity of the boat and machinery.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. A life-preserving apparatuswhich shall become automatically inflated and buoyant by its immersionin water, substantially as set forth.

.2. The combination of an inflatable bag and a receptacle containingchemicals that will generate gas by being dissolved in water,substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.

3. The combination of an inflatable bag, G,

flask A, valves V B, and exterior perforated case P, substantially asand for the purposes HENRY A. DUO, JR.

Witnesses: JAooB G. WIENGES, EDWARD S. BENARD.

